Overwatch League Stage 3 Playoffs
by: Bryce L. Jackson
#4 Los Angeles Gladiators Vs. #1 Boston Uprising
The Boston Uprising as the #1 seed earned the ability to pick their first opponent. They chose the Los Angeles Gladiators in bold confidence because “they needed a warm up” according to President of Gaming for the Boston Uprising Huk. They backed that confidence up with a quick dispatching of the Gladiators 3-0.
#3 Los Angeles Valiant Vs. #2 New York Excelsior
The New York Excelsior got the Valiant in their semi-final matchup. It really wasn’t even close. The NYXL beat the Valiant in a quick and methodical 3-0.
#1 Boston Uprising Vs. #2 New York Excelsior
The Stage Darling. The League Titan.
On paper, this was set up to be an absolute slugfest. The game played out a bit differently but it was still a fantastic match. The NYXL wanted revenge for the loss earlier in the stage. The Uprising were seeking stage perfection. The match started with NYXL rolling through Route 66 with Pine kicking off things with the Widowmaker plays we come to expect of him. Alongside Tracer-God Saebyeolbe, the NYXL were able to make it all the way on attack and held Boston to a 3-2 map win. The next map was Nepal where it was a hotly contested but ultimately quick 2-0 win for the NYXL. Then it was on to Volskya Industries, dubbed “Boston’s map” due to there impressive record. The NYXL took Boston to task on their home court behind stellar play from Saebyeolbe once again. Even with a furious attack of their own, Boston was only able to draw the map set up map 4 on Numbani. Boston brought the fury and disruptive plays but could not stop NYXL from getting to the end of the map in Overtime so they had to go all the way themselves to keep their chances alive. Boston put up an inspiring effort but the NYXL defense was too strong as they were stopped just short of the final point and NYXL would come away as the Stage 3 Champions and go home with their second $100,000 bonus.
The Boston Uprising were a class above for the entire stage but just couldn't beat the final boss of the Overwatch League. They will receive the $25,000 runner up bonus but they have also rocketed up the overall standings to now sit 2nd because of their perfect Stage 3 showing.
NYXL have now won the Stage Championship twice and solidly own the number one spot in the overall playoffs by a wide margin.
Best Stage Performers
Pine (Flex, New York Excelsior)
Poko (Flex, Philadelphia Fusion)
Striker (DPS, Boston Uprising)
Carpe (DPS, Philadelphia Fusion)
Janus (Tank, New Your Excelsior)
NotE (Tank, Boston Uprising)
Shaz (Support, Los Angeles Gladiators)
Jjonak (Support, New York Excelsior)
Stage Notes
With the end of Stage 3 signals the end of the overall playoff hopes of Shanghai, Florida, and Dallas. New York are officially locked in to the overall playoffs because of Houston Outlaw’s loss to the Seoul Dynasty. The 9 remaining teams (San Francisco the longest of long shots currently) are still mathematically eligible with the Los Angeles Gladiators and Houston Outlaws currently on the outside looking in on the top 6 spots. Overall opinion, the new playoff format is more fair and interesting and adds some intrigue. The #1 seed doesn't come in cold and the teams are in the Finals earned their way in.
The end of the stage also means that the current patch will now be updated to the LAN servers at Blizzard. Highlight of that patch is new support hero Brigitte who has had mixed reception on the competitive ladder. Along with Hanzo who (finally) got his Scatter Arrow ability replaced with the rapid-fire Storm Bow and the addition of a horizontal dodge, it’ll be interesting to see how the professional meta will change. The casters and analysts have been saying a tank meta is coming but we’ have to wait and see on that front. Along with Brigitte and Hanzo’s changes. D.Va’s Booster tackle and micro rockets nerf and Lucio’s movement buff will all be new to the Overwatch League in Stage 4 starting May 16th.
Stage 4 Map Pool: Lijiang Tower (Control), Dorado (Escort), Watchpoint Gibraltar(Escort), Blizzard World (Hybrid), Oasis (Control), King’s Row (Hybrid), Hanamura (Assault), Horizon Lunar Colony(Assault)